Pakistan has allowed Britain’s Norse Atlantic to operate flights to the capital. Minister of Aviation Khawaja Asif announced this on social media, saying that the airline will operate direct flights from London, Manchester and Birmingham to Islamabad. “The increase in operations of international airlines to Pakistan will promote a competitive environment leading to world-class service and balance in fares,” the minister wrote. The approval comes just days after the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced the resumption of flights from Islamabad to London from March 29, after a six-year hiatus. PIA will operate London flights from Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 4. Moreover, the Pakistan government concluded the sale of a 75% stake in its national carrier, for Rs135 billion, ending years of stalled efforts to privatise the loss-making airline.